Increased university fees and HECS debts may not be necessary if new Victoria University research into a fairer higher education model is tied to legislation.
VU vice-chancellor and president Peter Dawkins and VU Centre of Policy Studies senior research fellow Janine Dixon have released a paper detailing a “third way” for higher education policy.
Professor Dawkins said their “taper” model included price flexibility and a better equity package while still being driven by demand.
“Neither full fee deregulation, nor returning to a more regulated model – with tight control over fees and possible reversion to more regulation of student numbers – would serve us well,” he said.
The proposed model would see government giving less money to universities if they raised their fees above a threshold level, determined by a taper rate starting at 20 per cent.
This would work alongside a better Higher Education Participation Program (HEPP) to offer scholarships for low-socioeconomic-status students.
“Our modelling suggests this approach will significantly dampen fee rises, compared with the fully deregulated model and will allow for sufficient additional funding for universities to enable a significant enhancement of higher education,” Professor Dawkins said.
“It will also free up substantial resources … we hope that the paper is considered by government, the Senate, the higher education sector and the broader community.”
